Canadian intelligence agencies have been paying closer attention to human smuggling since two ships carrying hundreds of Sri Lankan migrants arrived off the West Coast, according to a newly declassified report.

The arrival of the MV Ocean Lady and MV Sun Sea in 2009 and 2010 “focused the Canadian intelligence community’s attention on human smuggling,” the report said, adding that maritime human smuggling was a “particular concern.”

The Top Secret report said Canada was “vulnerable to terrorist travel” and that the “potential for inbound travel to North America to support or participate in terrorist operations is a high priority threat to Canadian and allied national security.”

Related

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service assessment, dated March, 2013, and released under the Access to Information Act, shows how the agency has rationalized its increasing role in anti-human smuggling operations since the ships arrived.

“Illegal migration poses a range of threats to Canadian sovereignty, border security and security. The Service’s legal mandate requires attention to harm to Canadian security interests through its possible use by non-state terrorist organizations, state sponsors of terror and foreign intelligence services,” it said.

The Ocean Lady arrived off Vancouver Island in October, 2009, carrying 76 Sri Lankan migrants. According to the latest figures released this week by the Immigration and Refugee Board, only 27 of those claims have been accepted while 19 have been rejected. Four deportation orders have been issued.

The Sun Sea reached Canadian waters the following August with 492 people on board. So far just 117 of their refugee claims have been accepted, while 117 have been rejected. Eleven passengers have been found to be members of the Tamil Tigers rebels and are being deported for war crimes or belonging to an organization “engaging in terrorism.” Fourteen are being deported for human smuggling since they were members of the ship’s crew.